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Metal Detectors May
Increase Safety at Capitol
By Chris Sabo
Ever since alleged gunman Derek
Potts walked into the North entrance of the capitol and
delivered a fatal shot to security officer William Wozniak, the
issue of increased security in the Illinois State Capitol has
remained a top priority among legislators and workers.
Immediately following the
shooting, Governor Rod Blagojevich issued an executive order to
install metal detectors at both public entrances of the Capitol
building. He also entertained the idea of other security
improvements, one being the arming of Capitol security guards.
In addition to these improvements, Blagojevich will seek a
consultation from an expert on security at the U.S. Capitol in
Washington, D.C.
Previously, anyone could enter
the Capitol and access nearly every office in the building
simply by presenting an identification (driver’s license) and
signing the login sheet. The Capitol did not have metal
detectors and the security guards were unarmed.
Other high profile buildings,
such as The Thompson Center in Chicago along with the Governor’s
office in Springfield, have been equipped with portable metal
detectors until legislature meets to decide on funding for
permanent fixtures.
Secretary of State Jesse White
previously proposed the idea of having metal detectors installed
in the capitol. But with budget constraints and fears of
turning the statehouse into a “fortress,” the idea was quickly
disregarded.
Jennifer Saba is a previous Dunn
fellow who spent everyday working in the capitol. She feels
metal detectors would be a great addition for security but may
be set off frequently.
“With the amount of traffic in
and out of the capitol each day, metal detectors would
definitely slow things down.
Many UIS students work in the
capitol and must also be concerned with safety.
The Public Affairs Reporting
(PAR) program at UIS is an intense, graduate exposure to local
and state politics. Students in the PAR program spend their
fall semester taking graduate level political reporting classes
before being sent to work in the state Capitol in the spring.
PAR director Charlie Wheeler
believes random acts of violence can occur anywhere.
“I don’t have any safety
concerns with my students working in the state capitol. They
are much safer here than they would be driving on the highway or
crossing the street.
Wheeler said to his knowledge
there has not been any major safely concerns at the statehouse
in recent memory. He also proposed the idea of having a
security checkpoint at the entrance to the north drive as
opposed to having the checkpoint inside the building itself.
“If someone is mentally ill and
determined to cause damage, they will succeed. The hope is to
have it occur as far away from the building and people as
possible”
Keyes to speak at
UIS
By Stephanie Orr
Alan Keyes,
Illinois Republican candidate for Senate, will speak at UIS on
Oct. 12. The event is being co-sponsored by the College
Republicans and The Society of Conservative Students.
Keyes will take part in a debate on the Illinois
Radio Network before speaking on campus.
Aakash Raut, chairman of the
College Republicans, said that Keyes will focus on topics
important to college students.
Raut encourages students to come listen to what
Keyes has to say even if they do not plan on supporting him.
“He’s one of the best speakers in the country,” Raut said.
Keyes’ debate will broadcast live on WTAX-AM in
Springfield at 7 p.m. on Oct. 12. He will then be speaking on
campus at 8 p.m. in the LRH Great Room.
For more information contact Raut
at araut01s@uis.edu.
Malik awarded UPI
scholarship
By Janee Mitchell
Saira Malik is a 21-year-old
senior at UIS double majoring in economics and communication.
Malik hails from Homewood, Ill., where she attended
Homewood-Flossmoor High School for three years and Woodstock
International for one. She entered UIS in 2001 as a Capital
Scholar and will be graduating in May 2005.
 Malik
was torn between majoring in economics or communication, but
ultimately she chose both. Her double major will prove
profitable in her future. She aspires to become either a college
professor or enter into a “self-directed” career.
Malik will be transferring to
UIUC, UIC, or UC upon her graduation from UIS. She will be
continuing her education with some grad work. She said that she
will miss UIS for its small class sizes and accessibility of
involvement opportunities.
Malik said that her greatest
accomplishment at UIS is competing in public speaking, as apart
of the college’s Forensics and Debate team. Malik said she hated
speaking before she came to UIS, but now she wins awards for it.
Malik is also a member of Model
Illinois Government and SGA. In her involvement with Model
Illinois Government, Malik served as a moot court attorney. She
is also the representative of the college of business in SGA.
While Malik is not a part of any
sports teams, she has participated in the Miler’s Club in past
semesters and likes to run in her spare time. She has also been
involved with music since grade school and has even participated
in music at UIS. Malik now sings with the Illinois Symphony
Chorus.
Malik is high spirited,
goal-oriented and successful. She is the model student of UIS,
polishing up her record with club involvement, a high GPA, and
her willingness to help others. Not only that, Malik is the
proud recipient of the UPI scholarship for the third time.
The UPI scholarship is only open
to the children of Governor’s State University faculty members.
Malik’s father is Dr. Zam Malik, Professor of Business, at GSU.
The scholarship is extremely competitive, with around 150
students competing for only one or two awards. Malik was among
one of the two chosen.
Malik said that she was surprised
in hearing the number of students competing for the scholarship.
She also said that she is humble and grateful for winning the
scholarship because that means her essay showed some quality.
With all of her accomplishments,
Malik is still hesitant to call herself a role model. However,
she said, “I like to see myself as respected by others. If
someone learns something it makes me feel like I’ve done
something worthwhile.”
Malik is a student who likes to
question things. She is always thinking about ways she can
improve things. She is very interested in learning and has even
journeyed oversees to do so.
She also likes to have control
over things and admits this as one of her faults. However, she
said that sometimes that made her lose sight of things, but now
it makes her stronger because it helps her stay organized and
focused.
She likes volunteering and
helping others. In high school she volunteered for Amnesty
International. She brought her passion for volunteer work to UIS
and read for the UIS Radio Station and participated in service
learning, where she helped teach fourth and fifth graders how to
do speeches.
When you hear the name Saira
Malik, think of a student leader, because that’s what she is.
Malik helps her fellow students in many ways, though she was too
humble to name them all. Sarah Chase, first year grad student in
English, said on her behalf, “Saira is really involved in SGA,
not in a political or self-serving way, always going to meetings
involving difficult tedious issues and always wanting to discuss
issues concerning students.”
Malik is dedicated to the
students. She is one of those people that are behind the scenes
that no one sees, or even asks about. Yet, she is always
fighting for the rights of fellow students and contributing her
creativity and loyalty to UIS. Saira Malik, though journeying to
another college, leaves behind her accomplishments for the
students and UIS as reminders of her time here. She will be
greatly missed. |
